Scripting About

Revision as of 08:21, 5 September 2007

How to use scripts in OpenSim

Have a look at the LSL wiki to learn LSL.
The current procedure to get a script working in OpenSim is:

• Create a new script in inventory.
• Write whatever script you want there. Check llFunction implementation status for what commands that is supported.
• Drag the script over to an object.
• Delete the script from the object to deactivate script.

There are still some defects:

• You can not edit script while it is inside object.
• When restarting OpenSim server scripts are lost and not started.
• Line numbers in error messages may miss by 1 or 2 lines.

About OpenSim scripting

An important ingredience in Second Life is scripting. It is the engine that drives it all.
In SL LSL (Linden Scripting Language) is the language you have to use. This language has its limitations, and is executed very slowly. But nevertheless it works and it gets the job done.

Linden Labs are planning to move LSL scripting over to C# on Mono some time in the future. This has been in the works since 2005 at least. There are many difficult technical challenges related to this.

OpenSim supports LSL and C# scripts. But with limitations:

• Not all commands and events has been implemented. See llFunction implementation status for details on what commands work and not.
• Scripts that are running can not cross regions.
• You can not use loops inside your scripts. Actually you can use loops, but it will block other scripts from executing.

The OpenSim script engine compiles the LSL code down to .Net code that is JIT'ed to CPU native code. In effect this means that a LSL script in OpenSim should run faster than in Second Life.

How to contribute

The ScriptEngine is being developed by the many developers.
New developers are always welcome. If you want to contribute, even just a tiny little bit, have a look at the OpenSim.Region.ScriptEngine page. There is a low of developer activity on IRC (Contact us), feel free to drop in.
A blog with development status can be found at http://teddmaa.blogspot.com/.